Teleconferencing method and system

ABSTRACT

A method and system provides a face-to-face video conference. The method and apparatus comprise a conferencing system consisting of a conferencing station defining a predetermined motif, an image system for generating a substantially full scale image of a person at the conferencing station so that participants at the conferencing station feel that any images of persons displayed by the imager at the conferencing station are present and face-to-face. The method comprises the steps of receiving image data at a teleconferencing station, the image data including data corresponding to at least one person, and displaying an image corresponding to the image data at the teleconferencing station so that at least one participant at the teleconferencing station views an image of said at least one person, thereby providing a face-to-face presence environment whereat the image of at least one person appears substantially life size. The teleconferencing method may further include the steps of generating image data corresponding to an image, transmitting at least a portion of the image data corresponding to at least a portion of the image to a teleconferencing station and displaying the portion of the image data at the teleconferencing station during a teleconference.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/233,363filed Aug. 30, 2002; now U.S. Pat. No. 6,654,045 issued Nov. 25, 2003;which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/695,460 filed Oct.24, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,405 issued Sep. 3, 2002, which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 09/047,771 filed Mar. 25, 1998, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,160,573, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/740,839filed Nov. 4, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,751,337, which is a continuationof Ser. No. 08/308,603 filed Sept. 19, 1994, issued as U.S. Pat. No.5,572,248.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a video conferencing system andmethod and, more particularly, to a teleconferencing system which iscapable of producing a “video mirror” at a station such that anyparticipants at one or more remote stations may be imaged and displayedin the video mirror at the station so that they appear to be present orface-to-face with any participants at the station.

Visual telephone systems presently provide communication between atleast two locations for allowing a video conference among participantssituated at each station. An objective in some video conferencingarrangements is to provide a plurality of television cameras at onelocation. The outputs of those cameras are transmitted along with audiosignals to a corresponding plurality of television monitors at a secondlocation such that the participants at the first location are perceivedto be present or face-to-face with participants at the second location.In achieving good face-to-face presence, the number of confereesincluded in the video picture from each camera is normally limited to afew people, typically one to four. There are usually a like number ofmonitors at the receiving station, each strategically focused, alignedand positioned so that their displays appear contiguous, seamless andproperly aligned. The apparatuses and methods employed heretofore toachieve proper positioning, focus and alignment have been complex andcostly.

Further, the images captured by the plurality of cameras must bearranged and displayed so that they generate a non-overlapping and/orcontiguous field of view, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No.4,890,314 which issued to Judd et al. on Dec. 26, 1989 and which ishereby incorporated by reference and made a part hereof.

The prior art systems have also been deficient because they have failedto provide means for generating an image, such as an image of aplurality of participants, at one station, differentiating the image toprovide a differentiated image and subsequently compositing thedifferentiated image with a predetermined composite image to provide acomposited image which complements or becomes visually complementary,contiguous or integrated with the remote station when the image isdisplayed at the remote station.

Another problem with prior art video conferencing systems is eye contactamong participants at the stations. Typically, a camera is placedsomewhere above the display monitor at which a participant is observinga display of the participant from the remote station. Consequently, thecamera captures the participant at an angle above the participantsviewing level or head. Thus, when an image of that participant isdisplayed at the remote station, it appears as if the participant islooking down (e.g., towards the ground). Previous solutions to thisproblem have required complex optical systems and methods using, forexample, a plurality of lenses and mirrors. The solutions have usuallybeen designed for use when the camera is capturing an image of a singleparticipant, and they fall short when simultaneously capturing images ofmultiple participants.

The prior art stations themselves were not architecturally designed in amodular form so that they could be easily assembled, decorated andcombined with a video image or sub-image from the remote station in amanner which would enhance the virtual presence environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide aface-to-face teleconferencing system which enables a plurality ofparticipants at a plurality of stations to teleconference such that theparticipants generally appear face-to-face with one or more participantsat remote stations in the teleconferencing system.

Another object of this invention is to provide a differentiator ordifferentiating means which facilitates differentiating at least oneimage captured at a station into a differentiated image which willultimately be transmitted to at least one remote station.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method and system forcompositing an image or sub-image received from a remote station with apredetermined composite image to provide a composited image, at least aportion of which is displayed at the station.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a system or methodwhich provides a display having wide aspect ratio while utilizingcameras which generate images having smaller aspect ratios.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method and systemfor defining a predetermined sensory setting at one or more stations inorder to enhance the virtual presence environment at that station.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus for imaging subjects at one station, processing such images,and displaying such images at a remote station such that such imagescomplement and/or become visually integrated with the remote station.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatuswhich is capable of generating a composite image having a plurality ofdifferent resolutions.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a “videomirror” at a station.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an imaging systemwhich provides a simplified means capturing substantially eye levelimages of participants at stations while also providing means forsimultaneously displaying images at such stations.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a system and methodfor compositing a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality ofimages from at least one station to provide a contiguous or seamlesscomposite image.

Still another object is to provide a method and system for providing aplurality of teleconferencing stations that have complementarypredetermined sensory settings which facilitate creating a face-to-faceenvironment when images of such settings and participants are displayedat remote stations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus forgenerating a video mirror such that an image having a predeterminedsensory setting of participants or subjects captured at one station maybe displayed at a remote station having a different predeterminedsensory setting, yet the remote participants will appear face-to-face inthe same predetermined setting as the participants or subjects at theone station.

In one aspect, this invention comprises a teleconferencing methodconsisting of the steps of receiving image data at a teleconferencingstation, the image data including data corresponding to at least oneperson and displaying an image corresponding to the image data at theteleconferencing station so that at least one participant at theteleconferencing station views said image of at least one person,thereby providing a face-to-face presence environment whereat the imageof at least one person appears substantially life size.

In another aspect, this invention comprises a teleconferencing methodconsisting of the steps of generating image data corresponding to animage, transmitting at least a portion of the image data correspondingto at least a portion of the image to a teleconferencing station anddisplaying a portion of the image data at the teleconferencing stationduring a teleconference.

In yet another aspect, this invention comprises a conferencing systemconsisting of a conferencing station defining a predetermined motif, animage system for generating a substantially full scale image of a personat the conferencing station so that participants at the conferencingstation feel that any images of persons displayed by the imager at theconferencing station are present and face-to-face.

In another aspect, this invention comprises a conferencing systemcomprising a first station comprising a first sensory area defining afirst aura, a second station comprising a second sensory area defining asecond aura, and an image system for generating a first station image ofat least a portion of the first sensory area and also for displaying acomposite image corresponding to the first station image at the secondstation such that the first and second auras become visually combined toprovide an integrated face-to-face environment at the second station.

In another aspect, this invention comprises an image system for use in aconference environment comprising a station having a first conferencearea and a remote station having a remote video area, the image systemcomprising a compositor for compositing a first signal which generallycorresponds to a video image of a portion of the first conference areawith a composite reference signal to provide a composite image signal;and a display for displaying the composited image signal at the remotevideo area such that the first and second stations appearcomplementarily integrated.

In still another aspect, of the invention, this invention comprises ateleconferencing system comprising a sensory setting, a second stationhaving a second predetermined sensory setting; and an imaging system forcapturing an image at the first station and displaying at least aportion of the image at the second station such that it becomesgenerally visually integrated with the second predetermined sensorysetting.

In another aspect of this invention, this invention comprises a stationfor use in a teleconferencing environment comprising a first stationpredetermined setting, first image sensing means associated with thefirst station predetermined setting for capturing images at the stationfor transmission to a remote station, audio means for transmittingand/or receiving audio signals from at least one remote station, anddisplay means for displaying an image including at least one sub-imagetransmitted to the station from the remote station so that the imagebecomes integrated with the first station predetermined setting tofacilitate providing a face-to-face presence teleconference.

In still another aspect of the invention, this invention comprises amethod for providing a virtual presence conference in a teleconferencingsystem having a first station and a second station comprising the stepof displaying an image formed from at least one sub-image from the firststation at a predetermined location in the second station such that theimage becomes visually integrated with the second station to define asingle predetermined aura at the second station.

In yet another aspect of the invention, this invention comprises amethod for teleconferencing comprising the steps of teleconnecting afirst station having a first setting to a second station having a secondsetting; and displaying a composite image including an image of at leasta portion of the first station at the second station such that when thecomposite image is displayed at the second station it cooperates withthe second setting to facilitate providing a face-to-face environment atthe second station.

In still another aspect, this invention comprises a method forteleconferencing comprising generating at least one first station signalgenerally corresponding to a first station image of the first station,comparing the at least one first station signal to a differentialreference signal corresponding to a first reference image and generatingat least one differential signal comprising a portion of the firststation image in response thereto, compositing the at least onedifferential signal with a predetermined composite signal correspondingto a predetermined image to provide at least one composite image, anddisplaying the at least one composite image corresponding to thecomposite signal at a second station.

In yet another aspect, this invention comprises a method for generatinga seamless image at a station from a plurality of sub-images at leastone of which is received from a remote station comprising the steps ofgenerating the plurality of sub-images, and combining the plurality ofsub-images with a predetermined composite image to provide the seamlessimage.

These advantages and objects, and others, may be more readily understoodin connection with the following specification, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B, taken together, show a teleconferencing systemaccording to one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partly broken away top view of a first station of theteleconferencing system shown in FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 3A and 3B, taken together, show another embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the stations have different predetermined sensorysettings;

FIGS. 4A and 4B, taken together, show still another embodiment of theinvention having stations which have predetermined sensory settingswhich are designed, decorated and defined to be complementary and/orsubstantially identical;

FIGS. 5A and 5B, taken together, provide a visual illustration of theimages corresponding to some of the signals generated by theteleconferencing system; and

FIGS. 6A–6D, taken together, show a schematic diagram of a methodaccording to an embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a teleconferencing system 10 is shownhaving a first station or suite 12 and a second station or suite 14. Thefirst station 12 comprises a first conference or sensory area 16, andthe second station 14 comprises a second conference or sensory area18-1, respectively. The first and second stations 12 and 14 alsocomprise a first video area 20 and a second video area 22-1,respectively, associated with the first and second conference areas 16and 18-1. The first video area 20 is generally integral with a wall 32 hin the first station 12. Likewise, the second video area 22-1 isgenerally integral with a wall 32 h-1 in the second station 14. In theembodiment being described, the first and second stations aregeographically remote from each other, but they could be situated on thesame premises if desired.

For ease of illustration, the construction and modular assembly of thestations in teleconferencing system 10 will be described in relation tothe first station 12. As shown in the sectional top view of FIG. 2, thefirst station 12 is shown assembled or constructed into a generallyelongated octagonal shape. The first station 12 comprises a plurality ofmodular members 32 a–32 h which include walls 32 a, 32 c–e, 32 g–h,doors in wall members 32 b and 32 f and entry facade 32 f–321. The firststation 12 also comprises a ceiling 34 (FIG. 1A) which is mounted on themembers 32 a–32 h with suitable fasteners, such as nuts, bolts,adhesives, brackets, or any other suitable fastening means. Notice thatthe ceiling 34 has a dropped or sunken portion 34 a which supportsappropriate lighting fixtures 56.

In the embodiment being described, each of the members 32 a–32 h and theceiling 34 is molded or formed to provide or define an environmenthaving a unique architectural setting and/or sensory setting. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the wall member 32 a may be formedto provide a plurality of stones 36, a plurality of columns 38, and anarch 40 to facilitate defining a first predetermined setting 12 a havinga Roman/Italian motif, theme or aura. One or more of the members 32 a–32h may be provided with inlays, wall decorations (like picture 58 inFIGS. 1A and 2), or even a permanent frosted glass window and framearrangement 42 mounted therein. Furthermore, members 32 b and 32 f (FIG.2) may be provided with sliding doors 44 which facilitate entering andexiting the first station 12 and which are designed to complement orfurther enhance the Roman/Italian motif.

In the embodiment being described, notice that member 32 h (FIGS. 1A and2) is formed to provide a stone and pillar appearance and texturecomplementary to the stone and pillar appearance and texture of the wallmembers, such as member 32 a. Also, the member 32 a may be shaped toframe or mask a rear projection screen 46, as shown. The function andoperation of the rear projection screen 46 will be described laterherein. In the embodiment being described, the rear projection screen 46comprises a high resolution lenticular rear projection screen which iseither integral with or mounted directly to member 32 h to provide afirst video area 20 having a usable projection area of about 52 inchesby 92 inches with an associated aspect ratio of 16:9.

Each of the members 32 a–32 h and ceiling 34 are created in separatemodular units using a plurality of molds (not shown). In the embodimentbeing described, a suitable material for molding the members 32 a–32 hand ceiling 34 to provide a granite-like appearance may be Gypsum, butthey could be formed from other suitable material such as stone orclay-based materials, ceramic, paper, cardboard, foam, wood, Styrofoamand the like. As illustrated in 1A and 2, the member 32 d may beprovided with a shelf or mantle 33. The various members 32 a–32 h areassembled together as shown in FIG. 2 and secured together with suitablesupport braces 48 which may be secured to the walls 32 a–32 h with anysuitable fastener such as screws, bolts, an adhesive or the like. Afterthe first station 12 is assembled and the ceiling 34 is secured thereto,it has a length of about 14 feet, 6 inches (indicated by double arrow Lin FIG. 2) and a width of about 12 feet, 0 inches (indicated by doublearrow W in FIG. 2). The first station 12 has an approximate height fromfloor to ceiling 34 of about 8 feet, 6 inches. Further, the members 32a, 32 c, 32 e and 32 g have a width (indicated by double arrow Y in FIG.2) of about 5 feet, 0 inch. Finally, the back wall member 32 d and frontwall member 32 h comprises a width of about 7 feet, 8 inches (indicatedby double arrow X in FIG. 2).

After the members 32 a–32 h and ceiling 34 are assembled, the firststation 12 may be further decorated, designed or ornamented with aplurality of subjects, decorations or ornaments which facilitateproviding the first predetermined sensory setting 12 a which defines afirst aura, motif or theme. Likewise, the second station 14 may befurther provided or ornamented with a plurality of subjects, decorationsor ornaments which facilitate providing a second predetermined sensorysetting 14 a which defines a second aura, motif or theme. For example,as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the predetermined sensory setting 12 a of thefirst station 12 may be further decorated with a table 50, tabledecorations, pillar and wall decorations, carpet (not shown), plants 54and other wall decorations (not shown) to further enhance theRoman/Italian motif, theme or aura. The first and second predeterminedsensory settings 12 a and 14 a may also comprise appropriate lightingfixtures 56 and appropriate furnishings, such as chairs 60 and tables61, which complement the predetermined setting to further facilitatedefining the Roman/Italian theme or motif for the stations 12 and 14.

It should be appreciated that once the first and second stations 12 and14 are assembled and ornamented or decorated to provide their respectivefirst and second predetermined sensory settings 12 a and 14 a, theydefine an aura, theme or motif which facilitates providing or creating avery sensual and impressionable environment. Providing such a station,such as station 12, with a strong sensory environment facilitatesenhancing the virtual presence illusion created by teleconferencingsystem 10 of the present invention.

It should also be appreciated, however, that although the first station12 and second station 14 are shown in the embodiment in FIGS. 1A and 1Bas having complementary or similar first and second predeterminedsensory settings 12 a and 14 a, they could be provided with first andsecond predetermined sensory settings 12 a and 14 a having differentthemes, motifs or auras. Thus, while the embodiment described inrelation to FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a first and second set ofstations 12 and 14 having a Roman/Italian motif, another set ofstations, such as station 12′ and station 14′ in the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, may have at least one station having adifferent predetermined setting. For example, the second station 14′ inFIG. 3B provides a setting 14 a′ which defines a Chinese aura, theme ormotif.

It should also be appreciated that the members 32 a–32 h, ceiling 34 andassociated predetermined sensory setting are provided to betransportable and capable of being assembled at any suitable location,such as an existing rectangular room, suite or conference area havingdimensions of at least 20 feet×20 feet×9 feet. While it may be desirableto provide the first and second stations 12 and 14 in theteleconferencing system 10 with substantially the same dimensions, itshould be appreciated that they could be provided with differingdimensions, depending on, for example, the number of participants ateach station. It should also be appreciated that the second station 14and other stations described herein would preferably be manufactured andassembled in the same or similar manner as the first station 12. Also,the stations in the teleconference system 10 may be decorated with wall,ceiling and floor coverings to provide, for example, the firstpredetermined sensory setting 12 a without using the pre-formed ormolded modular members 32 a–32 h described above, although the use ofsuch members may be preferable in this embodiment.

The teleconferencing system 10 also comprises conferencing means or aconferencing system means for teleconnecting the first and secondstations 12 and 14 together to facilitate capturing an image or imagesat one of said stations and displaying at least a portion of the imageor a sub-image at another of the stations such that it becomes generallyvisually integrated with the predetermined sensory setting at thatstation, thereby facilitating creating a “video mirror” and a“face-to-face” environment for the participant situated at that station.As shown in FIG. 1A, the conferencing system associated with the firststation 12 comprises image sensor means, imager or image sensors forsensing images at the first station 12. For the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1A and 2, the image sensor means comprises a plurality of cameraswhich are operably associated with the rear projection screen 46 offirst station 12. In this regard, the plurality of cameras comprise afirst camera head 62 and second camera head 64 which are operativelycoupled to a first camera control unit 66 and second camera control unit68, respectively. Notice that the first and second camera control units66 and 68 are remotely situated from the first and second camera heads62 and 64. This facilitates permitting the first and second cameras 62and 64 to be placed directly in the projection path of the rearprojection screen 46, without substantially interfering with the videoimage being projected.

In the embodiment being described, the first camera head 62 and secondcamera head 64 are situated approximately 16 inches above the surface oftable 50 which generally corresponds to the eye level of the seatedparticipants situated at table 50. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the firstand second cameras 62 and 64 are situated behind the rear projectionscreen 46 in operative relationship with a pair of 1¼ inch diameteropenings 66 and 68, respectively. The first and second cameras 62 and 64are mounted on a suitable narrow or non-interfering bracket (not shown)such that they can be positioned behind the rear projection screen 46 inoperative relationship with openings 66 and 68, respectively. In theembodiment being described, the first and second cameras 62 and 64 are1¼ inch by 1¼ inch 3-CCD camera heads which generate images having anaspect ratio of about 3:4 and a picture resolution of about 494×700pixels. One suitable 3-CCD camera heads 62 and 64 and associated cameracontrol units 66 and 68 may be Model No. GP-US502 manufactured byPanasonic Broadcast and Television Systems Company of Japan. It shouldbe appreciated that while the teleconferencing system 10 shown anddescribed in relation to FIGS. 1A and 1B show image sensor meanscomprising a plurality of camera heads 62 and 64 and camera controlunits 66 and 68 situated at a station, a single camera may be used (asshown and described relative to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B)or even multiple cameras could be used depending on such things as thesize of the station, the number of participants situated at the station,and/or the aspect ratio of each camera head selected. It should also beappreciated that the camera heads 62 and 64 and associated cameracontrol units 66 and 68 are configured and positioned at the firststation 12 to facilitate providing maximum vertical eye contact amongparticipates in the teleconference, while minimally interrupting thesubstantially life-size video projection on the rear projection screen46.

The conferencing means also comprises a first differentiator ordifferential key generator 70 (FIG. 1A) and a second differentiator ordifferential key generator 72, respectively. The camera control unit 66generates an RGB analog signal I-62 which is received by the firstdifferentiator 70, and the camera control unit 68 generates an RGBsignal I-64 which is received by the second differentiator 72. The firstand second differentiators 70 and 72 provide means for processing theimage signals generated by the camera control units 66 and 68 to removeor differentiate any undesired portion of the images corresponding tothe signals I-62 and I-64. For example, as described in detail laterherein, it is desired in this embodiment to separate the image of theparticipants situated at the first station 12 from at least a portion ofthe first predetermined sensory setting 12 a, such as the backgroundbehind the participants, in order to provide a differential signal VS-1that has that portion of the first predetermined sensory setting 12Aremoved. This, in turn, facilitates transmitting the video image of theparticipants at the first station 12 to the remote second station 14 andalso facilitates compositing the image with other images, as describedbelow.

Suitable differentiators 70 and 72 may comprise the differential keygenerator shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,432, issued on Jan.24, 1989 to Barnett et al. and assigned to The Grass Valley Group, Inc.,which is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.

The differential key generators 70 and 72 convert the I-62 and I-64signals from RGB analog signals to digital image signals havingcorresponding images 104 and 106 (FIG. 5A), respectively. Thedifferential key generators 70 and 72 compare the digital image signalsto an associated differential reference signals DRS-62 and DRS-64,respectively, which generally corresponds to images 108 and 110 in FIG.5A. As described in detail later herein, these images 108 and 110comprise at least a portion of the first predetermined sensory setting12 a such as the background. The differential reference signals DRS-62and DRS-64 are stored in appropriate storage 74 and 76 (FIG. 1A)associated with the differential key generators 70, 72, respectively. Inthe embodiment being described, the differential reference signalsDRS-62 and DRS-64 comprise a reference frame of a video image grabbed byone or both cameras 62 or 64 situated at the first station 12 from avideo sequence of the first predetermined sensory setting 12 a of thefirst station 12 background where no participants, chairs, or otherforeground elements are in place.

In response to the comparison, the first and second differentiators 70and 72 generate differentiated video signals VS-1 and VS-2 (FIG. 1A),respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the VS-1 and VS-2 signalsgenerally correspond to the individuals situated at the first station 12when viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2. As illustrated in theimages 112 and 114 (FIG. 5) associated with the VS-1 and VS-2 signals,respectively, notice that the background area shown in images 104 and106 has been removed and is tagged as a “zero” image area.

Advantageously, tagging at least a portion of the image represented bythe VS-1 signal as “zero” background facilitates compressing the VS-1and VS-2 signals and providing corresponding compressed CDS-1 and CDS-2signals, thereby reducing the amount of transmission band width needed.This tagging also facilitates compositing or overlaying anotherpredetermined image to provide a seamless composited image as describedin detail below.

The video signals VS-1 and VS-2 are received by a firstcompression/decompression means or CODEC 78 and a secondcompression/decompression means or CODEC 80, respectively. The CODECs 78and 80 also receive an audio signal AS-A1 and AS-A2 from suitablemicrophones 82 and 83, respectively, which may be positioned orconcealed at an appropriate location in the first station 12, such asunderneath or on top of table 50, as illustrated in FIG. 1A. Thefunction of the first and second CODEC 78 and 80 is to compress videoand audio signals for transmitting to remote stations, such as thesecond station 14, and also to decompress compressed video and audiosignals received from remote stations. Consequently, the CODECs 78 and80 are configured with suitable compression and decompression algorithmswhich are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The CODEC ModelNo. Rembrandt II VP available from Compression Labs, Inc. of San Jose,Calif. is suitable for use in the embodiment described herein, but itshould be noted that other suitable compression/decompression means maybe employed.

The CODEC 78 receives the video signal VS-1 and audio signal AS-A1, andCODEC 80 receives the video signal VS-2 and audio signal AS-A2. TheCODECs 78 and 80, generate digital signals CDS-1 and CDS-2,respectively, in response thereto which are in turn transmitted toremote station 14 via a transmission network 84.

The transmission network 84 may be configured as a private network,public circuit switch service, and it may utilize telecommunicationand/or satellite technology. In the embodiment being described, thetransmission network 84 preferably includes a plurality of T-1 lines(not shown) which are capable of accommodating bit streams having asuitable band width, such as 1.544 megabytes per second.

The teleconferencing system 10 and conference means associated with thefirst station 12 also comprises enhancing means for enhancing theresolution of an image or sub-image received from a remote station, suchas the second station 14. In the embodiment being described, enhancingmeans comprises a first line doubler 86 and a second line doubler 88which are operatively coupled to the first CODEC 78 and second CODEC 80,respectively. In this embodiment, the first and second line doublers 86and 88 enhance the resolution and picture quality of at least a portionof the image corresponding to video signals VS-3 and VS-4 received fromthe CODECs 78 and 80, respectively, by about 50–150%. The VS-3 and VS-4signals correspond to images or sub-images received from remotestation(s), such as station 14, as described in detail below. Onesuitable line doubler is the Model No. LD 100 available from FaroudjaLaboratories, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif., but other suitable enhancingmeans may be provided to provide greater or less enhancement of theimages to be displayed. For example, lenses, mirrors, optical pixelinterpolation or other electrical means may be employed as desired. Itshould also be noted that the present invention may be performed withoutthe use of any enhancing means without departing from the scope of theinvention.

The first and second line doublers 86 and 88 generate enhanced videosignals which are input into compositing means, compositor or videocompositing multiplexer 92 for compositing the enhanced video signalsassociated with the images or sub-images received from the remotestation(s) with one or more predetermined composite signals, such aspredetermined composite signal A, corresponding to a predeterminedcomposite image or sub-image which are stored in a suitable storagedevice 94 associated with the compositor 92. In the embodiment beingdescribed, the predetermined composite signal A corresponds to an imageof at least a portion of first predetermined sensory setting 12 a, suchas the background of the first station 12. The video compositingmultiplexer 92 composites the signals received from the first and secondline doublers 86 and 88 with the predetermined composite signal A andgenerates a RGB analog composite signal in response thereto. It has beenfound that Model No. E-Space-1 available from Miranda Technologies, Inc.of Montreal and Quebec, Canada, is one suitable video compositingmultiplexer 92.

The teleconferencing system 10 comprises a projector 96 coupled to thevideo compositing multiplexer 92 which receives the RGB composite signaland projects a corresponding image 90 (FIG. 1A) corresponding to thecomposite signal on the rear projection screen 46. The Model No. 3300available from AMPRO Corporation of Titusville, Fla. has been found tobe a suitable projector 96. Although the embodiment has been describedusing projector 96 and rear projection screen 46, other suitable meansmay be employed for projecting or displaying the composited image. Forexample, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or other electronic screen maybe suitable to display images at a station. This may eliminate the needfor the projector 96.

The projector 96 could be used with an optical system or a plurality ofmirrors (not shown), or prisms (not shown) such that the projector canbe positioned, for example, to the side or below the rear projectionscreen 46 or in a manner that permits the projector 96 to project theimage towards a mirror (not shown), which causes the image to beprojected on the rear projection screen 46.

As described in detail below, the composite signal and its correspondingimage 90 generally comprise a video image of at least a portion of thefirst predetermined sensory setting 12 a combined or composited with adifferentiated image, such as an image of the participants from thesecond station 14 which correspond to the VS-3 and VS-4 (FIG. 1B)signals. Consequently, the resultant image 90 projected on screen 46 atthe first station 12 complements or blends with the architectural motif,aura, theme or design defined by the first predetermined sensory setting12 a at the first station 12, such that the projected image 90 appearsvisually integrated with the first predetermined sensory setting 12 a ofthe first station 12. This, in turn, causes any image of theparticipants situated at the second station 14 and included in the image90 to appear to be face-to-face with participants at the first station12 during the teleconference. The operation of the compositor 92 isdescribed in more detail later herein.

It should be appreciated that the sub-images or images received from theremote station(s) typically have a resolution on the order of about352×288 pixels and the predetermined composite signal A comprises aresolution on the order of about 1280×1024 pixels. Thus, the resultantcomposite image 90 may comprise, for example, an image of theparticipants situated at the second station 14 having a first resolutionand a background image of the first station 12 having a secondresolution, which is higher than the first resolution. This enablescompositor 92 to provide a composite image 90 which, when displayed onscreen 46, gives the illusion or effect of a “video mirror” to theparticipants situated at the first station 12.

The teleconferencing system 10 also includes audio means comprising aplurality of speakers 100 and 102 (FIGS. 1A and 2) which, in turn,receive audio signals AS-B1 and AS-B2 from CODECs 78 and 80,respectively. It should be appreciated that the audio signal AS-B1 andAS-B2 generally correspond to the audio associated with the sound (e.g.,voices, music and the like) associated with the remote station(s), suchas second station 14.

It should also be appreciated that the rear projection screen 46 andprojector 96 are configured and selected to enable the teleconferencingsystem 10 to project the composited image 90 (FIG. 1A) at apredetermined scale, such as substantially full scale. In this regard,the compositor 92 comprises a scaler 95 which is integral therewith forscaling the composited signal associated with the composited image 90 toa desired or predetermined scale, such as substantially full scale.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, the second station 14 comprises similarcomponents as the first station and such like components are labelledwith the same reference numeral as their corresponding component in thefirst station 12, except that the components associated with the secondstation 14 have a “−1” designator added thereto. Such components operateand function in substantially the same manner as described above withregard to the first station 12 with the following being somedifferences. The differential reference signals DRS-3 and DRS-4 (FIG. 5)associated with the second station 14 generally correspond to an imageor sub-image of at least a portion of the second predetermined sensorysetting 14 a, such as the background 98-1, of the second station 14.Such sub-image or image may include at least a portion of the background98-1 without any participants, chairs or other foreground subjectssituated in the second station 14. Also, like the predeterminedcomposite signal A stored in the storage 94 associated with the firststation 10, a predetermined composite signal B may be stored in thestorage 94-1 associated with the compositor 92-1 second station 14. Thepredetermined composite signal B may correspond to an image or sub-imageof at least a portion of the second predetermined sensory setting 14 aof the second station 14. Such sub-image or image may include, forexample, an image of the walls 32 a-1 to 32 h-1 and conference area 18or background of the second station 14. Notice that in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the second station 14 has a secondpredetermined sensory setting 14 a which mirrors or is complementary tothe first predetermined sensory setting 12 a. As described above,however, the first and second predetermined sensory settings 12 a and 14a may be different.

A method of operating the teleconferencing system 10 will now bedescribed in relation to FIGS. 6A–6D. The modular components, such asmembers 32 a to 32 h and ceiling 34 for first station 10, decorationsand the like, are configured, assembled and decorated (block 99 in FIG.6A) at a desired location to provide a conference station comprising apredetermined sensory setting defining a predetermined theme, motif oraura. As mentioned earlier herein, the theme, motif or aura may becomplementary (as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B) or they can be completelydifferent, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B (described below). For ease ofillustration, it will be assumed that the stations are assembled anddecorated as shown and described relative to the embodiment in FIGS. 1Aand 1B.

Once the modular stations 12 and 14 are assembled and decorated, it maybe desired (decision point 101 in FIG. 6A) to use differentiator (e.g.,differentiator 72 in FIG. 1A). As discussed herein relative to theembodiments shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, it may not always be desired togenerate a differential reference image, thereby making it unnecessaryto generate the differential reference signal. If differentiation isdesired, then the camera heads 62 or 64 generate at least one videoimage (block 103) of at least a portion of the first predeterminedsensory setting 12A at the first station 12. The differentiators 72 and74 grab or capture at least one differential reference image orsub-image from those images and generate (block 107) the differentialreference signals DRS-62 and DRS-64, respectively. These signals arestored in suitable storage 74 and 76 for use by the differentiators 70and 72, respectively. Likewise, cameras 62-1 and 64-1 at the secondstation 14 generate video images of at least a portion of the secondpredetermined setting 14 a at the second station 14. The differentiators70-1 and 72-1 grab or capture at least one differential reference imageor sub-image from those images and generate differential referencesignals (not shown) corresponding thereto. These signals are then stored(block 109) in suitable storage 74-1 and 76-1 for use by differentialkey generators 70-1 and 72-1, respectively.

As mentioned above, it is preferred that the differential referencesignals DRS-62 and DRS-64 comprise an image of at least a portion of thefirst predetermined sensory setting 12 a, such as an image of the firststation 12 without any participants, chairs or other subjects which arenot stationary during the teleconference. Likewise, it is preferred thatthe differential reference signals associated with the differentiators70-1 and 72-1 comprise at least a portion of the second predeterminedsensory setting 14 a at the second station 14, such as an image of thebackground 98-1 without the participants, chairs and other subjectswhich are not stationary during the teleconference.

If differentiation of signals is not selected or at the end of thedifferentiation process, it may be desired to generate a composite image(decision point 97) for one or more of the stations. As discussed below,however, this may not always be required to achieve certain advantagesof the invention. Such predetermined composite image would preferablyinclude a substantial portion of the first predetermined sensory setting12 a, including the background and/or conference area 16 of the firststation 12. If compositing is desired, then the predetermined compositesignal A is generated (block 111 in FIG. 6B). The correspondingpredetermined composite signal A may then be stored in suitable storage94. In the same manner, the predetermined composite image at the secondstation 14 and corresponding predetermined composite signal B may begenerated and stored as predetermined composite signal B in suitablestorage 94-1. In the embodiment being described, the predeterminedcomposite image associated with the second station 14 includes an imageof at least a portion of the second predetermined sensory setting 14 a,including the background 98-1.

In the embodiment being described, the predetermined composite signals Aand B are generated by a suitable still camera (not shown) to provide astill image (not shown) of the station 12 or 14 being photographed. Thestill image would subsequently be scanned and digitized for storage by asuitable scanner (not shown). The still camera and scanner wouldpreferably be capable of generating images having a resolution on theorder of about 1280×1024 pixels. Thus, if compositing is performed, theresultant composite image (such as image 90 in FIG. 1A) may comprise animage having a high resolution background, for example, combined with acomparatively lower resolution image of the remote station participants.This, in turn, facilitates enhancing the “video mirror” effect wherein amimic or replication of a common architectural technique of mirroring awall of a given room which makes the overall room appear to be extendedbeyond its actual wall line.

Once the stations 12 and 14 are configured and the differentialreference signals and predetermined composite signals A and B aregenerated and stored, the first and second suites 12 and 14 may then beteleconnected (block 113) or connected by satellite or other suitablemeans via the transmission network 84.

Next, one or more participants may be situated at the first and secondstations 12 and 14. As illustrated in FIG. 2, notice that theparticipants seated at the first station 12 are situated a predetermineddistance B from a participant's side 46 a of the rear projection screen46. The predetermined distance B generally corresponds to a preferred oroptimum focal distance at which optimum imaging by cameras 62 and 64 maybe performed. In the embodiment being described, it has been found thatthe predetermined distance should be about 5 feet, 6 inches. Theparticipants are situated at the second station 14 in a similar mannerand the face-to-face teleconference may then begin.

For ease of illustration, the imaging and display of first station 12participants at the second station 14 will be described. The first andsecond cameras 62 and 64 capture (block 117 in FIG. 6B) live images ofthe participants situated at the first station 12 and generatecorresponding RGB analog signals I-62 and I-64 which are received by thedifferential key generators 70 and 72, respectively. If differentiationwas selected (decision point 147 in FIG. 6C), processing continues atblock 119 otherwise it proceeds at block 123. The differential keygenerators 70 and 72 generate (block 121 in FIG. 6C) the digitaldifferential signal VS-1 and VS-2, respectively, after comparing (block119 in FIG. 6C) the I-62 and I-64 signals received from cameras 62 and64 to their respective differential reference signals DRS 62 and DRS-64which are received from storages 74 and 76.

The differential signals VS-1 and VS-2 are then received by CODECs 78and 80 which also receive the audio signals AS-A1 and AS-A2 whichcorrespond to the audio, including sounds, music and voices, associatedwith the first station 12. The CODECs 78 and 80 digitize the audiosignals AS-A1 and AS-A2, combine the audio signals with their respectivevideo signal VS-1 or VS-2, and generate (block 123) the compressed CDS-1and CDS-2 signals in response thereto. The CDS-1 and CDS-2 signals arethen transmitted (block 125) to the second station 14 via thetransmission network 84 (FIG. 1B).

The CDS-1 and CDS-2 signals are received and decompressed (block 127 inFIG. 6C) by CODECs 78-1 and 80-1, respectively, associated with thesecond station 14 to provide decompressed VS-1 and VS-2 signals. TheCODECs 78-1 and 80-1 also decompress the audio signals AS-A1 and AS-A2received from the first station 10 which are transmitted to speakers100-1 and 102-1, respectively, at the second station 14.

Substantially simultaneously with the broadcasting of the audio signalsat the second station 14, CODECs 78-1 and 80-1 decompress the CDS-1 andCDS-2 signals to provide VS-1 and VS-2 signals. The decompressed videosignals VS-1 and VS-2 are then received by line doublers 86-1 and 88-1.If it is desired to enhance the signals (decision point. 129), then theline doublers 86-1 and 88-1 process or manipulate the signals (block131) in order to enhance the resolution of the image corresponding tothose signals. After the signals VS-1 and VS-2 are processed, it may bedesired to composite (decision point 133 in FIG. 6D) those signals withone or more other signals. In this illustration, for example, the videocompositor 92-1 composites images (block 135) corresponding to thosesignals with at least one predetermined composite image, such as image122 (FIG. 5B) corresponding to the predetermined composite signal Bprovided from storage 94-1 (FIG. 1B) to provide a composite signal. Asmentioned above, the composite signal generally corresponds to thecomposited image 91-1 to be displayed on the rear projection screen 46-1at the second station 14.

The compositor 92-1 may (decision point 137, block 139 in FIG. 6D) scalethe composited image to a desired scale, such as full scale, usingscaler 95-1. Thereafter, the compositor 95-1 transmits a correspondingRGB analog signal to projector 96-1 which displays (block 141) thescaled, composited image on the rear projection screen 46-1 (FIG. 1B).

The teleconference may then be continued or terminated as desired(decision point 143, block 145).

Because the composited image is substantially full scale when projectedand includes a high resolution image of at least a portion of the secondpredetermined sensory setting 14 a, the image appears to blend or becomevisually integrated with the second predetermined sensory setting 14 a.This, in turn, gives the participants situated at the second station 14the perception that the first station participants are present orface-to-face with them in the second station 14.

In the same or similar manner, images and signals relative to the secondstation 14 images are captured, processed and displayed at the firststation 12. So that images of the participants at the second station 14are displayed at the first station 12 such that they appear to have aface-to-face presence at the first station 12. Thus, images of thesecond station 14 participants may be differentiated and composited suchthat, when they are displayed at the first station 12, the imagecompletes or provides “the other half” of the first station 12 andbecomes generally visually integrated therewith. Although not required,it may be desirable to enhance the face-to-face presence by providing,for example, first and second predetermined sensory settings 12 a and 14a which define a dining environment wherein food or meals may be served.For example, the face-to-face presence may be further enhanced if theparticipants at both stations 12 and 14 order food and drinks fromidentical menus. Also, trained maître-de and/or waiters may be used toactively promote the perception of a face-to-face dinner using ascripted dialog and interaction with remote participants, maître-deand/or waiters.

Once the teleconferencing is terminated, the stations 12 and 14 may beused by the same or different participants without the need toreconstruct or re-assemble the stations.

FIGS. 5A and 5B provide a visual illustration of the imagescorresponding to some of the signals described above utilizing themethod and embodiment described above. In this regard, images 104 and106 generally correspond to the actual images captured by the first andsecond cameras 62 and 64, respectively. As described above, associatedimage signals I-62 and I-64 are transmitted to the differential keygenerators 70 and 72, respectively. The differential key generators 70and 72 compare the images 104 and 106 to the images 108 and 110associated with the differential reference signals DRS-62 and DRS-64which are received from storages 74 and 76, respectively, and which werepreviously generated by cameras 62 and 64 from an identical fixed cameraposition.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the differential key generators 70 and 72generate differential signals VS-1 and VS-2 which have correspondingimages 112 and 114. Notice that these images 112 and 114 comprise animage of the participants which are situated at the first station 12with the background area having been removed or tagged as a “zero” area.As described herein, this “zero” area becomes “filled-in” with thedesired or predetermined composite image which may include, for example,an image of at least a portion of the predetermined setting orbackground of the second station 14. It has been found that removing aportion of the image, such as the background, by tagging it as zero, inthe manner described herein, facilitates compressing the signals VS-1and VS-2 and reducing the amount of bandwidth needed to transmit theimages over transmission network 84 and between the first and secondstations 12 and 14.

As mentioned above, the video signals VS-1 and VS-2 are fed into CODECs78 and 80 which compresses the signals along with audio signal AS-A1 andAS-A2 and generates signals CDS-1 and CDS-2. The CDS-1 and CDS-2 signalsare then transmitted, via transmission network 84, to the second station14 and received by the CODECs 78-1 and 80-1 associated with the secondstation 14. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the CODEC 78-1 and 80-1decompresses the CDS-1 and CDS-2 signals, respectively, from the firststation 12 and feeds them into associated line doublers 86-1 and 88-1.As mentioned earlier herein, the line doublers 86-1 and 88-1 facilitateenhancing the images associated with the video signals to provideenhanced video signals EVS-1 and EVS-2 (FIG. 5B), respectively.

As stated earlier, the enhanced video signals EVS-1 and EVS-2 are thenreceived by the video compositing multiplexer 92-1 associated with thesecond station 14 wherein the signals are combined to provide anintermediate composite signal ICS having an associated intermediatecomposite signal image 120 having an aspect ratio of about 8:3.

The video compositing multiplexer 92-1 also receives the predeterminedcomposite signal B having a predetermined composite signal B image 122from storage 94-1. The video compositing multiplexer 92-1 composites orcombines the images 120 and 122 to generate the composite signal havingan associated or corresponding composite image 124 as shown in FIG. 5B.As stated earlier, the predetermined composite signal B image 122generally corresponds to at least a portion of the predetermined settingor background of the second station 14 and has an aspect ratio of 16:9.

Notice that when the predetermined composite signal B image 122 iscombined with the intermediate composite signal image 120, the videocompositing multiplexer 92-1 causes the “zero” area of the intermediatecomposite signal image 120 to be “filled in” with the predeterminedcomposite signal B image.

The composite image 124 may then be scaled to a predetermined size orscale, such as full scale, using scaler 94-1, so that the compositeimage 124 may be scaled to a substantially full scale or real-life sizeimage as desired. The composite image signal corresponding to thecomposite image 124 is transmitted to the projector 96-1 and thendisplayed on the rear projection screen 46-1 at the second station 14.As illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 5B, the composite image 124 may beappropriately framed or masked (such as with an archway 125 in FIGS. 1Band 5B) when it is projected at the second station 14 to enhance theface-to-face, real time environment.

The audio and video signals transmitted between the first and secondstations 12 and 14 may be, in this illustration, transmitted overseparate T-1 lines (not shown) in the transmission network 84 in orderto effect a substantially simultaneous and/or “real time” videoconference. Thus, in the illustration shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, theparticipants may be geographically remotely located, yet theparticipants situated at the first station 12 will feel as if the secondstation 14 participants are located face-to-face or present with them atthe first station 12, while the participants situated at the secondstation 14 will feel as if the first station participants areface-to-face or present with them at the second station.

It should be appreciated that when the predetermined composite signal Band associated predetermined composite signal image 122 is compositedwith the intermediate composite signal and associated intermediatecomposite signal image 120, it overlays that signal to provide aseamless composite image 124, which facilitates reducing or eliminatingthe need to match up the borders or seams of the camera images with anyhigh degree of accuracy. In this regard, it is preferable that cameras62 and 64 and 62-1 and 64-1 preferably be situated such that theycapture an entire participant rather than, for example, half of aparticipant. Thus, it may be desired to position the participants in alocation such that any particular participants will not be in the fieldof view of more than one camera.

Advantageously, the invention provides an apparatus and method forproviding a video mirror at each station 12 and 14 which facilitatescreating a face-to-face and non-interrupted image of any participants inthe video conference. Because the image of the participants isdifferentiated, less transmission bandwidth, computer memory and thelike is required. Also, the differentiators and compositors of thepresent invention enable a user to create a composite image 124 (FIG.5B) having at least a portion thereof imaged at a greater resolutionthan the portion which was transmitted over transmission network 84.This facilitates reducing the effect of limitations or transmissionrestrictions of the transmission network 84 which, in turn, facilitatesincreasing the quality of images displayed at a station.

In addition, notice that the composite image 124 (FIG. 5B) may have anaspect ratio which is different from the aspect ratio of the cameras 62and 64. This enables the system and method of the present invention toutilize cameras which generate images having smaller or even largeraspect ratios. This also enables the system and method to use camerashaving standard or common aspect ratios, such as 4:3.

FIGS. 3A and 3B, when taken together, illustrate another embodiment ofthe invention. The operation and components of the embodiment shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B are substantially the same as the operation ofcomponents of the embodiment described above relative to FIGS. 1A and 1Bwith the same reference numerals being used for the same components withthe addition of single prime (′) designator. Consequently thisembodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, exceptthat the second predetermined setting 14 a′ in FIG. 3B and itsassociated theme, aura or motif is substantially different from thesecond predetermined setting 14 a shown in FIG. 1B. In FIG. 3B, thefirst predetermined sensory setting 12 a′ comprises a plurality ofdecorations 120 defining the Chinese theme, motif or aura. Also, thepredetermined composite signal A stored in storage 94-1′ and thedifferential reference signals stored in storages 74-1′ and 76-1 wouldgenerally correspond to an image of at least a portion of that setting14 a′.

As with the illustration described above relative to FIGS. 1A and 1B,the video and audio signals would be processed in substantially the samemanner. In general, an image of the participants situated at the firststation 12′ is composited by compositor 92-1′ with a predeterminedcomposite image of at least a portion of the second predeterminedsensory setting 14 a′ of the second station 14′ and projected onto therear projection screen 46-1′ at the second station 14′. The firststation 12′ participants appear to be face-to-face with the secondstation 14′ participants because they have a relatively high resolutionvideo image behind them which complements or becomes integrated with thesecond predetermined sensory setting 14 a′. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3B,the image 91-1′ (FIG. 3B) of the ladies at the first station 12′includes a Chinese background which blends or complements the actualpredetermined sensory setting 14 a′.

Likewise, when the image of the participants situated at the secondstation 14′ is projected on the rear projection screen 46′ at the firststation 12′, they appear to be in the same room as the participantssituated at the first station 12′ because the Roman/Italian videobackground which is seen behind the second station 14′ participantsgenerally complements and becomes visually integrated with the actualRoman/Italian theme, motif or aura defined by the first predeterminedsensory setting 12′ of the first station 12′.

FIGS. 4A and 4B, when taken together, illustrate another embodiment ofthe invention. The components of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4Bwhich are substantially identical to the components in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1A and 1B which have the same reference numerals with theaddition of a double prime (″″″) designators. As illustrated in FIGS. 4Aand 4B, two remote modular stations such as stations 12″ and 14″ may beprovided and designed to have first and second predetermined sensorysettings 12 a″ and 14 a″ which are substantially identical. Thus, asshown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, images may be captured in the manner describedabove at station 12″ received by CODECs 78″ and 80″ and thentransmitted, via transmission 84″, to associated CODECs 78-1″ and 80-1″,respectively. The CODECs 78-1″ and 80-1″ then generate a decompressedsignal which may be enhanced by line doublers 86-1″ and 88-1″,respectively; scaled to an appropriate scale by scaler 95-1″; and thenprojected by projector 96-1″ onto rear projection screen 46-1″.

Notice that the image comprising the second station 14″ participants andsecond predetermined sensory setting 14 a″ is displayed on screen 46″ atthe first station 12″. Thus, this embodiment does not utilize thedifferentiating and compositing features of the previous embodiment, butmay still achieve a face-to-face conference environment because thesecond predetermined sensory setting 14 a″ is configured to be identicalto or complementary with the first predetermined sensory setting 12 a″.In this embodiment, entire images or sub-images of the stations 12 and14 (including images of both participants and background) are displayedat remote station(s). Because the stations 12″ and 14″ are assembled,decorated and designed to be complementary or identical, they appearvisually integrated to participants situated in the stations 12 and 14.Accordingly, the first and second predetermined sensory settings 12 a″and 14 a″, including the background, are designed and arranged in ageometric fashion such that as cameras 62″ and 64″ capture images of theparticipants, they also capture images of the first and secondpredetermined sensory setting 12 a″ and 14 a″, respectively, at the mostadvantageous perspective for display at the remote station(s). As withprior embodiments, this causes the first station 12″ participants toperceive that the second station 14″ participants are situated orpresent with the first station 12″ participants at the first station14″. Likewise, the first station 12″ participants appear to beface-to-face with the second station 14″ participants at the secondstation 14″ when the images associated with the first station 12″ aredisplayed on screen 46-1″. Consequently, by providing complementary oridentical first and second predetermined sensory settings 12 a″ and 14a″, a face-to-face conference may be created. As with previousembodiments, it may also be desired to differentiate, enhance, compositeor scale the images as described with previous embodiments, but this isnot required with the embodiment being described.

Thus, it should be apparent that stations can be provided withpredetermined settings which are completely different, yet, by utilizingthe apparatus and method of the present invention, the images of theparticipants in these stations may be projected at remote stations sothat they appear to be virtually face-to-face with the remote stationparticipants at one or more remote stations.

Various changes or modifications in the invention described may occur tothose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention. For example, the screen 46 for station 12 has been shownas being integral with a portion of a wall 32 h (FIGS. 1A and 2A), itcould comprise a larger or smaller portion of that wall 32 h, or itcould be provided as part of one or more other walls, or even as part ofthe ceiling 34.

It should also be appreciated that while the embodiments have been shownand described comprising two stations, images from more than two remotestations may be displayed at a station, thereby permitting ateleconference convention among more than two stations.

Although not shown, one or more of the compositors, such as compositors12 or 12-1 (FIG. 1A) may comprise a stationary or moving image database(not shown) for providing a plurality of predetermined composite signalswhich define a particular or desired video background. For example,participants may elect to use the arched background of their proximity,choose an event-related scene, or decide to meet in a setting completelyunrelated to their site or station. For example, a station having aManhattan eatery motif may be provided with a screen configured as awindow (not shown). Certain moving video backgrounds of a busy New Yorkavenue may be deposited and displayed on the screen to give the illusionthat the participants situated at the station are dining in a popularManhattan eatery.

It should also be appreciated that while the embodiments being shown anddescribed herein refer to teleconferencing environments that havepredetermined settings and motifs or auras relating to dining, thepredetermined settings could define any type of aura, theme or motifwhich is suitable for video conferencing and in which it is desired toprovide a “real-life” or face-to-face presence illusion. For example,the apparatus and method of this invention could be used in a businesssetting, education setting, seminar setting, home environment, religioussetting, celebration setting (such as a birthday, retirement party,holiday or anniversary), or any other suitable setting as desired.

The above description of the invention is intended to be illustrativeand not limiting, and is not intended that the invention be restrictedthereto but that it be limited only by the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

1. A method for providing a conferencing environment comprising a firstsuite and at least one second suite, said method comprises the steps of:providing a first plurality of components comprising a first pluralityof walls, at least one of said first plurality of walls having at leastone first display associated therewith, said at least one first displaybeing capable of displaying a first substantially life-size image of atleast one remote person situated at a remote location; assembling saidfirst plurality of components at a first location to define the saidfirst suite; situating a first plurality of audio-visual components insaid first suite; providing a second plurality of components comprisinga second plurality of walls, at least one of said second plurality ofwalls having at least one second display associated therewith, said atleast one second display being capable of displaying a secondsubstantially life-size image of at least one person situated in saidfirst suite; assembling said second plurality of components at saidremote location to define said at least one second suite; situating asecond plurality of audio-visual components in said least one secondsuite; enabling said first suite to be connected to said at least onesecond suite so that (i) said first display at said first suite displayssaid first substantially life-size image of said at least one remoteperson situated at said remote location so that said at least one personwho views said first display at said first suite will see said firstsubstantially life-size image, and (ii) said second display at saidsecond suite displays said second substantially life-size image of saidat least one person situated in said first suite on said second displayso that said at least one remote person who views said second displaywill see said second substantially life-size image of said at least oneperson displayed on said second display; and said enabling stepcomprising the step of enhancing data associated with at least one ofsaid substantially life-size image or said second substantiallylife-size image to increase a resolution of said first substantiallylife-size image or second substantially life-size image before it isdisplayed on said at least one first display or at least one seconddisplay, respectively.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein saidmethod further comprises steps of: decorating at least one of said firstsuite or said at least one second suite with a plurality of furnishings;mounting at least one of said first or second plurality of audio-visualcomponents in said first or said at least one second suites,respectively, so that it is not visible during a video conference. 3.The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said at least one of said firstor second plurality of audio-visual components each comprises amicrophone associated with a table situated in front of said first orsecond display, respectively.
 4. The method as recited in claim 2wherein said at least one of said first or second plurality ofaudio-visual components comprises at least one speaker.
 5. The method asrecited in claim 2 wherein said method further comprises the step of:decorating said at least one second suite with a plurality offurnishings comprising at least one chair to be used by at least oneremote person at said at least one second suite; situating said at leastone chair such that said at least one remote person faces said displaywhen seated on said at least one chair.
 6. The method as recited inclaim 1 wherein said method further comprises the step of: making saidat least one of said first or second plurality of components from atleast one of the following: gypsum, clay-based material, ceramic, paper,cardboard, foam, wood, or styrofoam.
 7. The method as recited in claim 1wherein said first and second plurality of components are modular. 8.The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said first and second displaysare electronic.
 9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said firstand second displays are LCD displays.
 10. The method as recited in claim8 wherein said first suite and said at least one second suite eachcomprise a table situated in front of said first and second displays,respectively.
 11. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said at leastone of said first or second plurality of components comprises either adropped or sunken ceiling.
 12. The method as recited in claim 1 whereinsaid at least one of said first or second plurality of walls define anon-rectangular polygonal shape.
 13. The method as recited in claim 12wherein said polygonal shape comprises an octagonal.
 14. The method asrecited in claim 1 wherein said method further comprises the step of:causing participants in a video conference in said first suite or saidat least one second suite to be situated a predetermined distance fromsaid first display or second display, respectively.
 15. The method asrecited in claim 14 wherein said predetermined distance is about 5 feet,6 inches.
 16. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said methodfurther comprises the step of: decorating said first suite and said atleast one second suite substantially identically.
 17. The method asrecited in claim 1 wherein said decorating step comprises the step of:decorating said first suite and said at least one second suitedifferently.
 18. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein saiddecorating step comprises the step of: defining said first suite or saidat least one second suite with at least one of a business setting, aneducation setting, a seminar setting, a home environment, a religioussetting, or a celebration setting.
 19. The method as recited in claim 18wherein each of said first and second plurality of audio-visualcomponents comprises at least one audio component and at least onecamera, said method further comprising the steps of: decorating each ofsaid first suite and said at least one second suite with a plurality offurnishings; mounting said at least one of said first or said secondaudio-visual components relative to said olurality of furnishings sothat it is not visible during a video conference, and mounting said atleast one camera in each of said first suite and said at least onesecond suite so that it is visible during said video conference.
 20. Themethod as recited in claim 19 wherein each of said first and secondplurality of audio-visual components comprises a microphone associatedwith a table situated in said first suite or said at least one secondsuite, respectively.
 21. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein saidfirst and said second plurality of audio-visual components comprises atleast one speaker.
 22. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein saidplurality of furnishings comprise a table situated in proximate modularcomponents comprise a plurality of walls.
 23. The method as recited inclaim 18 wherein said method further comprises the step of: making saidplurality of components from at least one of the following: gypsum,clay-based material, ceramic, paper, cardboard, foam, wood, orstyrofoam.
 24. The method as recited in claim 18 wherein said firstsuite and said at least one second suite each comprise a height of about8 feet, 6 inches.
 25. The method as recited in claim 24 wherein said atleast one of said first suite or said at least one second suitecomprises dimensions of about 20 feet×20 feet by 9 feet.
 26. The methodas recited in claim 18 wherein said at least one of said first suite orsaid at least one second suite comprises either a dropped or sunkenceiling.
 27. The method as recited in claim 26 wherein said at least oneof said first suite or said at least one second suite defines anon-rectangular polygonal shape.
 28. The method as recited in claim 27wherein said polygonal shape comprises an octagonal.
 29. The method asrecited in claim 26 wherein at least two of said first suite or said atleast one second suite comprises different widths.
 30. The method asrecited in claim 18 wherein said method further comprises the step of:causing participants in a video conference at said first suite to besituated a predetermined distance from said first display.
 31. Themethod as recited in claim 30 wherein said predetermined distance isabout 5 feet, 6 inches.
 32. The method as recited in claim 1 whereinsaid first suite and said at least one second suite each define at leastone of a business setting, an education setting, a seminar setting, ahome environment, a religious setting, or a celebration setting.
 33. Themethod as recited in claim 1 wherein said method further comprises thestep of: decorating said suite with a plurality of subjects tofacilitate defining a predetermined sensory setting.
 34. The method asrecited in claim 1 wherein said first plurality of audio-visualcomponents comprises a plurality of cameras, said method furthercomprising the steps of: decorating said first suite with a plurality offurnishings comprising a plurality of chairs to be used by said at leastone person at said first suite; situating said plurality of chairs suchthat each of said at least one person seated in said plurality of chairsare located in the field of view of only one of said plurality ofcameras.
 35. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality ofaudio-visual components comprises at least one camera, said methodfurther comprising the steps of: decorating said at least one secondsuite with a plurality of furnishings comprising at least one chair tobe used by at least one remote person at said at least one second suite;situating said at least one chair such that said at least one remoteperson faces said at least one camera when seated on said at least onechair.
 36. The method as recited in claim 35 wherein said method furthercomprises the steps of: decorating said at least one second suite with aplurality of furnishings comprising at least one chair to be used by atleast one remote person at said at least one second suite; situatingsaid at least one chair such that said at least one remote person facessaid display when seated on said at least one chair.
 37. The method asrecited in claim 1 wherein said method further comprises the step of:providing a third audio visual component in a ceiling of at least one ofsaid first suite or said at least one second suite.